PANTHERS ON A ROLE WITH A CONVINCING WIN AGAINST CONNECT 3
LNC Panthers 36, Connect [3] 8
Starting line up: GK Kay Barker, GD Lauren Finch, WD Amy Greenbank, C Julia Eldridge, WA Emma Dunn, GA Gabi Duffey, GS Christina Broad. Res Kirstie Chappell & Maria Jordan
Hoping to continue their winning streak, Panthers took to the court confident that they could continue where they left off last week.
It was a slow start with both teams struggling to find any rhythm. GA Gabi Duffey netted a couple of goals in quick succession and this boosted the Panthers, the team began to work the ball well around the court and by the end of the quarter had managed to build a 10-1 lead.
Unchanged for the second period, Panthers continued to dominate. They defended hard all over the court causing many turnover balls which they were able to feed into the shooters. WD Amy Greenbank and GD Lauren Finch worked well together to keep out the GA and with GK Kay Barker putting pressure on the GS, Steelers were only able to add 3 goals compared to the Panthers’ 10, giving the home side a very healthy 20 - 4 lead going into to the second half.
Emma Dunn came off at half time due to an ankle injury so Maria Jordan came on at WA and Kirstie Chappell replaced Barker at GK. Liskeard had to work a lot harder during this quarter, some sloppy passes and silly mistakes gave Steelers more possession allowing them to work the ball into their shooting circle. However, with GS Christina Broad on fine form at the other end, they were able to settle and again furthered their lead, going into the last quarter with a 20 goal lead at 27 - 7.
More changes for the last saw Chappell move to GA, Duffey out to WA and Barker back on at GK. With the game all but won Panthers could have let their standards slip but they worked hard right to the end. Chappell & Broad formed an immediate partnership, working the ball well around the circle, and with some fantastic defending from Barker and Finch only conceding one goal, Panthers saw out the game for an impressive 36 - 8 win.
Player of the Match was awarded to Lauren Finch for her strong defending and hard work throughout.
COUGARS SUFFER HEAVY DEFEAT AT THE HANDS OF LEAGUE LEADER CSM
CSM Netball 60, LNC Cougars 11
Cougars made the long journey to Penryn to play Division 6 high flyers CSM with some trepidation. Despite fielding a full strength team plus 2 reserves Cougars soon found themselves 7 goals down before GS Vicky Ford was able to net the first goal from her first attempt. CSM continued to press forward ending the first quarter with a 12 goal lead at 4 - 16.
Cougars remained unchanged for the second quarter and this was to be the best quarter for the visiting side. GD Rachael Congdon and GK Debbie Drinkell made the two CSM shooters work hard for their goals. Centre Siobhan Howe & WA Kerry Elliott were able to feed the ball into the Cougars shooting circle and GA Emma Thomas worked the circle well to add 5 goals and keep the team in touching distance of the half score bonus point.
Louise Piner and Congdon were rested for the 3rd, with Drinkell moving to GD and Lynn Webb and Sophie Thomas coming on at GK and WD respectively. They soon got into the game with Thomas working hard to double mark the energetic CSM GA but the home side again upped the tempo, capitalising on some careless Cougar passes and took the game well out of the reach of the visitors.
With nothing left to play for Cougars used the last quarter to experiment with other partnerships. Webb replaced Vicky ford at GS, Elliot moved to C, and Louise Piner went to WA. Despite recording a very heavy defeat, 60 - 11, the Cougar team were upbeat and had enjoyed playing against a very good opposition.
Player of the match was awarded to captain Debbie Drinkell.